The causes of malabsorption can be grouped as follows:

• Bacterial Overgrowth - blind loops; stasis.

• Abnormal Transit Times - post gastrectomy; endocrine tumours.

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Malabsorption states can also be classified into generalised, where all major nutrient classes are involved (common!), or specific, when only a single nutrient or nutrient group is affected. The latter type is less common but includes problems arising from:

Diagnosis of Acute Pancreatitis

• Common causative factors include gall stones and alcohol abuse. More rarely chronic hypercalcaemia or hypertriglyceridaemia may be implicated.• Biochemical diagnosis based on demonstration of elevated plasma amylase, usually to >10x upper limit of normal. Once the diagnosis is made, further plasma amylase measurements are rarely necessary!